EPSA in a nutshell

EPSA – the platform for public excellence

Since its launch in 2007, the European Public Sector Award (EPSA) has received, assessed and made accessible almost 1000 public practices. They form a rich database of valuable experiences at the service and disposal of all European public administrations and make the European Public Sector Award the European learning platform for performance improvement of the public sector.

For all European public administrations, EPSA has generated highly valuable know-how and vital results that can be used for the benefit of providing innovative solutions and learning opportunities.

(1) Target: EPSA targets all sectors of public administration with an emphasis on specific themes.

(2) Scope: EPSA awards projects which have proven their success

(3) Focus: EPSA focuses on recognition and dissemination of good practice

Novelties of the EPSA 2013

There is one theme for all applicants in the new EPSA 2013 edition, with different categories for the European and national, the regional and the supra-local and the local level. Thus, each public administration competes against and compares itself with projects coming from the same level!

Additionally, two special recognitions will be awarded:

Honorary mention for cross-administrative cooperation

Honorary mention for cross-border cooperation

“Schemes like EPSA are important instruments for encouraging good practices in public administrations across Europe and helping countries learn from each other – a synergy that we must maximise! Since its creation in 2007, EPSA has acted as a driver for change in the way public services function in the 21st century, encouraging them to implement innovations and deliver quality.”

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-president of the European Commission, Inter-institutional Relations and Administration

László Andor, Member of the European Commission, Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

What is the European Public Sector Award (EPSA)?

The EPSA brings together the
best, most innovative and
efficient performers from the
European public sector.
Outstanding administrative
performances are, after all,
produced under different
conditions within Europe.
more information...

Publications

This book aims to demonstrate that various creative and smart routes to excellent solutions are possible, by analysing success stories in different areas of local public management from seven European cities in the EPSA scheme – Bilbao (ES), Birmingham (UK), Mannheim (DE), Milan (IT), Tallinn (EE), Tampere (FI), and Trondheim (NO). It concludes by presenting seven steps leading to excellence. The only thing left to find out is: are other cities ready to take on the challenge?

What kind of ideas are behind the remodelling of the state and public sector, and how have these ideas materialized in practice? In this book the authors illustrate what are the driving forces behind the huge amount of public management reforms over the last three decades. Trends and ideas of public management reforms in practice are validated by data from European Public Sector Award cases (2009 and 2011).

The EPSA brings together the best, most innovative and efficient performers from the European public sector. Outstanding administrative
performances are, after all, produced under different conditions within Europe.